Morocco at the heart of America's strategic alliance in Middle east, Congressmen
Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/23/2004

"Morocco has always been at the heart of America's strategic alliance in the Middle east'" and has " repeatedly proven its friendship with the United States," a group of Congressmen said in a letter sent recently to President George W. Bush.

"As the United States of America and the Kingdom of Morocco prepare to complete an important Free Trade Agreement, we wish to commend you for your work to deepen the US-Morocco friendship," said the letter addressed by this group made up of 64 Congressmen, including the main leaders at the House of representatives.

After recalling the "Treaty of Peace and Friendship" signed between Morocco and the United States on July 15, 1786, the Congressmen said this "historic agreement remains the oldest unbroken treaty in the history of U.S. foreign relations."

"Over the past two centuries, Morocco has repeatedly proven its friendship with the United States. From the crucial contributions of King Hassan II in the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt and throughout the Arab-Israeli peace process, to Morocco's deepening commitment to democratic pluralism, Morocco has always been at the heart of America's strategic alliance in the Middle East," wrote the letter.

The congressmen also hailed Morocco's cooperation with the United States on terrorism saying: "most recently, Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has been an extraordinary ally in the War on terrorism.." They mentioned in this regard, the Department of State's "Partners of Global terrorism 2002 which cites Morocco's "solid record of vigilance against terrorist activity and intolerance for the perpetrators of terrorism" in 2002.

"Morocco's commitment as a staunch ally has not wavered even in the face of the tragic terrorist bombings that took place in Casablanca on May 16, 2003," they added. These attacks killed 45 people including the 12 suicide bombers.

"As Morocco continues to be a voice for moderation and democratic pluralism in the Muslim World, the unique two century old relationship between the U.S. and Morocco is set to expand with the completion of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," the letter went on. The Congressmen wished that this agreement to be concluded in the few coming months, "will enhance the historic alliance between the United States and Morocco for centuries to come."

They called on the Bush Administration to support Morocco, "a key ally in the Muslim world," saying "it is important that the U.S. continue to strongly support Morocco on issues that concern our ally's national and regional security."

Among the signatories of the letter are the leader of the majority at the Congress, the Republican Tom Delay, the leader of the Republicans at the House of Representatives, Roy Blunt and other leading Democrats.

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